Press Release: Learning exchange focuses on fisheries and seafood traceability system in the Coral Triangle (CT) Region

# The CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat and USAID Oceans are conducting a learning exchange focusing on the application of the catch, documentation, and traceability (CDT) system for fisheries and seafood products.
# CDT is the practice of documenting key information of a fisheries product from the point of catch to final destination – market – including the supply chain.
# In the Learning Exchange, participants will gain insights on the implementation of the USAID Oceans CDT schemes at one of their sites located in Manado-Bitung, Indonesia. They will learn how CDT systems can be properly developed, implemented, and integrated into their local fisheries development plan.

Manado, Indonesia, 8 June 2018 – Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a threat to fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and overall fisheries sustainability in the Coral Triangle Region. Insufficient fisheries management and a lack of transparency in the seafood supply chain exacerbate this threat.

Cognizant of these critical issues, the Regional Secretariat of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) partners with USAID Oceans to conduct a learning exchange among marine and fisheries specialists from CT member countries. The activity will be held from 25–28 June 2018 in Manado and Bitung, Indonesia.

CDT documents key information about the harvest, processing, and transportation of a fisheries product from the point of catch to the market, serving as a market-based monitoring, control, and surveillance tool in combating IUU fishing. USAID Oceans has been using CDT to electronically document and trace wild-caught seafood products to improve fisheries management and protect individuals in the fisheries sectors from welfare abuses.

The Sustainable Ecosystems Advanced Project will host an “Ocean Story” Photo Story Contest inviting marine and photography enthusiasts to submit their best ocean and coastal images with a short story (80–150 words) to celebrate the ocean’s beauty and the importance of protecting its abundant resources.

Participants of the Learning Exchange will gain insights on the implementation of USAID Oceans CDT schemes in Manado-Bitung, Indonesia, and learn how to integrate CDT systems into their local fisheries development plans. This Learning Exchange is a step toward the next SOACAP Workshop on CDT Design and Development.

The Learning Exchange is part of activities under the Strengthening Organizational and Administrative Capacity for Improved Fisheries Management (SOACAP-IFM) partnership between the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat and USAID. SOACAP-IFM is funded by USAID RDMA and DOI, and along with NOAA, USAID Oceans, and SEAFDEC projects, it aims to strengthen regional cooperation to combat IUU fishing, promote sustainable fisheries, and conserve marine biodiversity in the Coral Triangle region.

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About CTI-CFF

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership of six countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste (CT6). The CT6 countries collaborate to preserve marine and coastal resources and focus on critical issues such as food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity. The CTI-CFF was formally established during the Leaders’ Summit in 2009. Leaders adopted the CTI Regional Plan of Action (CTI RPOA), a strategic plan with five goals:

1. Designation of effectively managed seascapes;
2. Application of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management;
3. Establishment of a fully functional marine protected area system;
4. Strengthening climate change adaptation and resilience;
5. Improving the status of threatened marine species.

About Regional Secretariat

The Regional Secretariat (RS) of CTI-CFF promotes regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and learning across the six member countries. The RS coordinates and monitors the implementation of the RPOA goals, supports official meetings and events, and provides cross-cutting services including monitoring and evaluation, financial coordination, information management, and outreach. It advises NCCs, coordinates with CTI-CSO, and fosters networking among Parties, CTI Partners, and other organizations and donors to promote CTI-CFF objectives. The RS is currently based in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

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Media Contact:

• Janet Rosalie Anne H. Polita
• Communication & Information Manager, CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat
• www.coraltriangleinitiative.org
• jpolita@cticff.org